KUWAIT: Diva blasted by Islamic clerics for singing in Hebrew at club

The 28-year old Iranian-Kuwaiti composer and singer Emma Shah has written and performed in many languages, including Arabic, Russian, French and Japanese.

But her latest choice of language did not go over so well in Kuwait. After singing in Hebrew at a recent gathering in Kuwait City's Alumni Club, she's now being accused of promoting Zionism and normalization of ties with Israel, reports the UAE-based English newspaper Gulf News.

Her performance upset Kuwaiti religious figures, including the religious scholar Sheikh Mohammad Awadhi. In an article published in the Kuwaiti daily Al Rai newspaper, he condemned the singer for  "alien attitudes that clash with the spirit, culture and values of the Kuwaiti society."

Some people are "abusing freedom to explain their behavior even if it is irrational. Unfortunately, there are those who are being exploited to disseminate certain ideas that promote Zionism," Gulf News quoted the Sheikh as writing.

Shah, meanwhile, says she is shocked over the accusations and negative feedback for singing a song that calls for peace and harmony. The singer also said the same song has been performed by the Egyptian-Italian diva Dalida in both Hebrew and French and that she was only following her example.

Shah reportedly sang "Come … Let us rejoice, be happy, enjoy"  in Hebrew before the crowd at the club. She shrugs off allegations that she insulted Arabs with her performance.

"Unfortunately, our media focuses on wars and problems, and not on meaningful work. I have written in Russian and performed in Arabic, English, Spanish, Japanese and French. Does that make me a spy for France or Britain?" she said acidly according to local media reports.

It is not the first time Shah's singing has angered Sheikh Awadhi. She claims he chided her on a previous occasion for singing about Jesus. 

"He had criticized me in the past for a song about Jesus, and I see no motive for his attacks on me," she said. "I am well versed in all religions, sects and creeds and I do not have a problem with anyone. I love all people and there are Christians and people with various religious beliefs in my audience," she concluded.

-- Alexandra Sandels in Beirut

Photo: Kuwaiti-Iranian singer Emma Shah has reportedly come under fierce criticism in Kuwait for singing a song in Hebrew at a local club. Credit: Gulf News/supplied

 

Comments

[be]

talk to me please

[Tom Billesley]

In the latest bo correctspeak, you should not use the word Isr**l as that could be taken to imply normalisation - the accepted term is now East Palestine.

[Joel B]

No Jason,

"Anyone and everyone that says they have the one true god" is NOT immediately a liar, they are simply asserting their particular personal belief. Problems arise only if they then try to force their beliefs onto others, as you are implying when you say "down with......"

[Anne-on]

Along with speakers Maryam Namazie and Nonie Darwish, here we have a woman throwing off shackles. Emma, if you're reading this, long may your career continue.

[Joanne]

It is always the "religious figures" that get angry. I bet nobody in the audience was angry.

[Verballistic]

Fundamentalist Muslim nations forbid women to drive cars, appear in public without traditional Islamic garb or hold political office. Why should we be surprised that these spiritual neanderthals would oppose a woman singing in an "infidel" nightclub? She had better keep a VERY low profile in Kuwait or any other fundamentalist Muslim nation if she values her LIFE...

[Adin Aronson]

I was glad to read about her.

[jason]

Good for her, a voice of ration and reason. Let the salt of equality grind in the muslim wound. Anyone and everyone that says they have the one true god is immediately a liar. All paths can lead to god.
Down with Judaeism, Catholicism,Islam, and Protestantism. They all deserve each other, and their leaders will have their day of reckoning and revelation.